Preventive measures reduce deaths from natural disasters

The number of dead and missing people as the result of natural disasters
in Vietnam fell from 2,030 in the 2002-2007 period to 1,868 during
2008-2012, as a result of a series of preventive measures.

According to Deputy Chief of the Office of the Central Committee for
Flood and Storm Control Van Phu Chinh, the country has shifted its
policy from countering natural disasters to prevention, as shown in the
promulgation of the law on natural disaster prevention, as well as many
legal documents and policies in the field.

The Government has
approved a plan for irrigation system development in the Mekong Delta,
the Red River Delta and the central regions to cope with climate change
and rising sea levels.

The country is also working on modernising
the hydrological observation network to facilitate forecasting work.
Meanwhile, fishermen in 28 coastal provinces have been provided with
7,000 tools for weather forecasting and 3,000 satellite communication
systems installed for offshore fishing vessels.

At the same
time, the country has been building infrastructure projects to mitigate
disasters’ consequences. The Prime Minister has approved a programme to
upgrade the sea dyke system stretching from Quang Ninh province in the
north to Kien Giang province in the south and another plan to improve
river dykes.

The first phase of a scheme to build flood-proof
residential complexes and clusters in the Mekong Delta has been
completed and the second phase is now underway, alongside with a pilot
programme to build flood shelters for residents in flood-vulnerable
areas in the central localities.

Speaking at the third national
forum on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation on
October 10, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat
said Vietnam has been using resources effectively to reduce the
risks caused by disasters.

In the coming time, the country will
further promote disaster management by applying technology, while
working closely with international organizations and donors in the
field.-VNA